It Started With a Kiss (Insta-Spark)

Daniel

The day was going great. Avery loved her flowers. I would see her tonight for our date and I was taking her to my favorite restaurant.

Plus, she agreed to go riding with me. She sounded nervous, so I had a feeling my idea of having her ride with me on the same horse would please her. I could hold her nice and tight. That would please me.

Her text made me happy. Lunch in the sun with Avery. A picnic. That usually involved a blanket. Avery lying down on a blanket in the sun. Me beside her. Close.

Yeah, that was a great idea.

I quickly texted her back confirmation.

Caitlin called my name, and I hit send, then headed out front to see what was going on. After helping her with the supply delivery, I returned to my office, surprised to find no reply to my text.

Scrolling up, I almost choked. My text of I love your idea of a picnic had been cut off. All the text said was:

I love you

I sent Avery a text telling her I loved her a day after we met. A low curse came out of my mouth as I stared at the screen.

What must she think of me?

And why did the thought of saying I love you to her not bother me more?

I dropped my head into my hands. From the lack of reply, she no doubt thought I was some sort of loser who went around declaring his love to women he had only met the previous day.

Which I wasn’t. Until Avery.

Caitlin walked in my office. “Daniel, what do you want . . . ?” Her voice trailed off as she took in my distraught face. “What’s wrong?”

Wordlessly, I handed her my phone. For a moment, there was silence.

“You sent this to Avery?”

“Yes.”

“Did you mean to? Or is this the work of your subconscious?”

“What? No! I meant to say I love your idea! You called for me and I hit send too quickly!”

She chuckled. “And she hasn’t responded?”

“No. She’s undoubtedly too busy changing her number and booking a moving van to run away from my overeager, needy ass.”

“Stop being such a drama queen. Call her and explain. I’m sure she’ll laugh it off.”

Caitlin was right. Mistakes happen all the time with texting. I was sure Avery knew that fact.

It was only a mistake. I didn’t mean it.

I was sure I didn’t.

“Get out, sister of mine.”

Still laughing, she left with a wave over her shoulder.

Hesitantly, I called Avery’s number. She answered in a quiet voice.

“Hey, Sprite. I, um, yeah, sometimes I’m an idiot, okay?”